Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Spring Day at the Shore



Waterstone Beach a photo essay.

Yesterday was such a beautiful day.  The temperature was 60 degrees.  May not sound like much to many people, but for being on the shores of Lake Michigan, that is a “warm” day in Spring.  There are still banks of snow here and there along the country roads – really!  But it is Spring never the less.

Took a two mile hike to have quiet time and to capture some of the sights.  The lake was like glass, very still.  The sun was warm.  The sky was clear with a little haze.

Enjoy the walk on this "warm" Spring Day


Looking North along Waterstone Beach
Gardens at Waters East

Reaching through the beach stones
finding the sun

Even a weed like the Dandelion is a welcome sight

Spring runoff creating a small waterfall


Buds already forming so soon after the snows


All about were the first signs of new life beginning again.  The first “reaching up” of green leaves breaking through the soil and rocks toward the warming sun.   A welcome sight whether weeds or native flowering plants, anything green was a great thing to behold!  Gardens at Waters East is once again happening.


"mini" moss

A recent visitor - raccoon - also checking out the shore

New Life taking shape

 Stonewater Beach

The green of Algae even looks good
after the snows of this past Winter

a "rivulet" cutting through the sand and stones

After the long cold Winter
Cedar Tree welcomes the signs and warmth of Spring

If you wish to email a message or share photos of your garden please do that through this Blog site or with an email to:



Wednesday, April 20, 2011

WANT A "QUICKIE" ? - TODAY



“Quickies”

(All “Quickies” are photos taken and posted the same day)
These photos were taken just today at the Gardens at Waters East. - - April 20, 2011 - -

Yesterday it started to snow - again!  Lots of snow, blowing wind, more snow and more wind.  One would hope this is finally the end of it!  Took these photos this morning.  If you refer back to the most recent "Want a Quickie" of April 13th., the same crocus looked happier before the snows came.  Though the snow has a beauty even this late in the season.

Enjoy

White & Purple Crocus

This  morning a robin in the garden looked rather befuddled, bewildered, and puzzled as it perched on the rocks.  It must have been thinks, "Did I leave the South a little early?"  Robins are the state bird of Wisconsin so everyone here  pays close attention to their arrival with great interest.  The first robin seen in the Gardens at Waters East this year was on March 21st., appropriately enough the first day of Spring.  No doubt that poor bird was a little shocked as it searched for food today.


6 foot Sculpture - "1000 Cranes"
as seen through a snow covered window

There as so many birds that pass through this area each year.  Some stay for the Summer, some move on to more norther climates.  The area of Gardens at Waters East is a birder's paradise.  At this time of year there are tens of thousands, no exaggeration, and tens of thousands more birds that use this migratory route along Lake Michigan to move from as far south as South American up into Canada.  It is a sight to behold.  A sight of true wonder.  So many birds out in the lake clustered together that they look like islands.


Duck on Bog Garden Pond

The shore and near waters here are teaming with water fowl.  Mallards, Bufflehead, Goldeneye, Cormorant, Canada Geese, even Whistling Swans have made there appearance this month, so too the Snow Geese.  There are White Pelican that pass through on their way to an island in the bay of Green Bay and have established a rookery there every year for the last few years.  Birds that I've never seen amaze me every year as they pass by this property.


Crocus and Stone Gargoyle

On the land there are numerous species that stop for feeding and rest as they head North.  Last year a flock of 200 Bobolink spent two days resting as they made their long journey from Argentina to Canada.  A pair even stayed the Summer - nice.  Sandhill Crane, Killdeer, Eastern Meadowlark, Red-wing Blackbirds, and so many more have already come to stay for the Summer.


Gazing Ball at Middle Walk
made of collected shore glass

No doubt all the birds are happy that the temperature this afternoon reached the mid-forties so the snows are melting.  They will again find foods for nourishment, resting for the evening, and for those that are here to stay, they will continue their nest building chores.


 Scilla - Siberian Squill
in the Asian Garden


Reference Note:  For a complete list of the ten (10) Principles of Design used here and throughout Gardens at Waters East, check out the archive postings for November 14 – 24, 2010.

If you wish to email a message or share photos of your garden please do that through this Blog site or with an email to:



Friday, April 15, 2011

ART: Impressionism #3



Impressionism: - - Manet, Monet, & Me

An ongoing series of “art” photos:

Gardens at Waters East  calls these pictures -  Impressionism”.  Here there is a play of color and light.  Here too is expressed inner energy and contemplation.  Photos from the garden can easily be “adjusted” to make very “impressionistic” like paintings.  These can be used in a variety of ways from note cards to letter heads and more.  This is another way of viewing your work and efforts in the garden as “art” and beauty.  Again, these would make interesting note cards.

Enjoy


This is the original photo
daisies, poppies, etc. in the summer garden.

same photo - "Impression" variation #1

same photo - "Impression" variation #2

same  photo - "Impression" variation #3


If you wish to email a message or share photos of your garden please do that through this Blog site or with an email to:



Wednesday, April 13, 2011

WANT A "QUICKIE" ? - TODAY



“Quickies”

(All “Quickies” are photos taken and posted the same day)
These photos were taken just today at the Gardens at Waters East. - - April 13, 2011 - - 

Though all gardeners look forward to warmer days and the “digging in the dirt” that is the growing season;  Winter has its own beauty not to be missed.  It is good to pause and appreciate with a sense of wonder, the Winter beauty that these days bring to heart and mind.  Never fight it.  Embrace it.  A gift given just for today.  It has a beauty.  It tells a story.  Enjoy

 Though there is still some snow left in the Bog Garden area, the rest has finally melted - Yeah!
In one day, these flowers have shown their "faces" - - Finally!



Crocus

Dwarf Iris

Ladybug on Scilla

Winter Aconite

Crocus Mix


Reference Note:  For a complete list of the ten (10) Principles of Design used here and throughout Gardens at Waters East, check out the archive postings for November 14 – 24, 2010.

If you wish to email a message or share photos of your garden please do that through this Blog site or with an email to:




Monday, April 11, 2011

BLOG SHOTS #15



GAWE - BLOG  SHOTS

Each month Gardens at Waters East (GAWE) will post two or more never before seen photos of “garden life” called - - BLOG SHOTS.  Here are the photos for today.

moments in the garden - - enjoy

Canada Geese in Flight
over Gardens at Waters East

Daylily "Steroid" & Poppy

A Reminder of Winter Past

Daylily MK #4

Marguerita Daisy & Lamb's Ear

Sunset from Lake Trail

Reference Note:  For a complete list of the ten (10) Principles of Design used here and throughout Gardens at Waters East, check out the archive postings for November 14 – 24, 2010.

If you wish to email a message or share photos of your garden please do that through this Blog site or with an email to:


Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Photo Essay - Winter 2010-11 #10



Gardens at Waters East has taken more than a thousand (1000) pictures of the gardens during this Winter season.  Taking photos was a great way to be outdoors while yet unable to get down in the dirt.

Since there are so many pictures, only a small portion have been selected to reflect the days of the Winter 2010 – 2011.  They are broken into a number of postings.  Viewers, if they so choose, can look at a one or the other postings in this series and not have to view a long running almost never ending “photo shoot”.

Here then, is an overview and a recollection of Winter past.  May it prove to be an opportunity for “reflection” and “pause” on a season that quiets us all down just a little, and gets us ready for the seemingly endless and busy season of gardening and growth which comes next.

Enjoy the Beauty.     Enjoy the Quiet
 Pause & Reflect

 Large bolders in snowmelt
(3 - 5 feet) on beach

Sunny Day

South Ravine
with Lake Michigan in the background

South Bluff
Gardens at Waters East

Cedar Tree
"hanging on for dear life"

Winter Sunset

SPECIAL NOTE:  To view more of the many other photos of the Winter Season of 2010 - 2011, check out some of the recent past postings.


Reference Note:  For a complete list of the ten (10) Principles of Design used here and throughout Gardens at Waters East, check out the archive postings for November 14 – 24, 2010.

If you wish to email a message or share photos of your garden please do that through this Blog site or with an email to:



Photo Essay - Winter 2010-11 #9



Gardens at Waters East has taken more than a thousand (1000) pictures of the gardens during this Winter season.  Taking photos was a great way to be outdoors while yet unable to get down in the dirt.

Since there are so many pictures, only a small portion have been selected to reflect the days of the Winter 2010 – 2011.  They are broken into a number of postings.  Viewers, if they so choose, can look at a one or the other postings in this series and not have to view a long running almost never ending “photo shoot”.

Here then, is an overview and a recollection of Winter past.  May it prove to be an opportunity for “reflection” and “pause” on a season that quiets us all down just a little, and gets us ready for the seemingly endless and busy season of gardening and growth which comes next.

Enjoy the Beauty.     Enjoy the Quiet
 Pause & Reflect



Hoar Frost on fencing

Pair of American Eagles
at South Ravine

Antique Pillar
seen through West Arch

Bistro Seating
at Formal Garden

Winter Sunrise

Winter Evening
over Lake Michigan


Reference Note:  For a complete list of the ten (10) Principles of Design used here and throughout Gardens at Waters East, check out the archive postings for November 14 – 24, 2010.

If you wish to email a message or share photos of your garden please do that through this Blog site or with an email to:



Photo Essay - Winter 2010-11 #8



Gardens at Waters East has taken more than a thousand (1000) pictures of the gardens during this Winter season.  Taking photos was a great way to be outdoors while yet unable to get down in the dirt.

Since there are so many pictures, only a small portion have been selected to reflect the days of the Winter 2010 – 2011.  They are broken into a number of postings.  Viewers, if they so choose, can look at a one or the other postings in this series and not have to view a long running almost never ending “photo shoot”.

Here then, is an overview and a recollection of Winter past.  May it prove to be an opportunity for “reflection” and “pause” on a season that quiets us all down just a little, and gets us ready for the seemingly endless and busy season of gardening and growth which comes next.

Enjoy the Beauty.     Enjoy the Quiet
 Pause & Reflect


 Sculpture:  "1000 Cranes"
in snowdrift at sunrise

 Sculpture:  "Blue Bottle Tree"

South Ravine
with Lake Michigan in the background

Old Fountain Head

Sunrise
March 7, 2011

Blue Spruce Grove


Reference Note:  For a complete list of the ten (10) Principles of Design used here and throughout Gardens at Waters East, check out the archive postings for November 14 – 24, 2010.

If you wish to email a message or share photos of your garden please do that through this Blog site or with an email to: